We expose our work, make connections and develop ideas in the hope that new opportunities will arise. We self-publish our writing, videos and photos, bypassing revisions and application processes and obtaining immediate legitimacy and publicity. We display our skills and develop our expertise at a global level.

Online self-promotion is a trend that is growing among recent graduates eager to sell themselves and network. It’s also an invaluable source of inspiration for those of us who suffer from the occasional 3:00 p.m. lull as we go through web pages that are imbued with a sense of vulnerability and possibility.

Gord Stephen, an engineering student at Queen’s University and part-time filmmaker, started a blog in July to increase the visibility of his work and establish himself as an expert. After a former colleague sent me a link to his blog, I called Stephen to find out a little more about this trend.

“There are two sorts of professionals in this field,” explains Stephen. “The majority get some contracts and do their job, but the ones who get more work talk about what they do, put up their videos online and get talked about.”

Stephen is inspired by those outgoing professionals, such as prominent filmmakers Philip Bloom and Tom Guilmette. “They are able to generate a global awareness through their sites. Just recently, Philip Bloom was shooting a video in India for Greenpeace.”

While Stephen says that he hasn’t yet gotten contracts directly from his blog, he has raised awareness about his work. Recently, he shot a public interest message for the Ottawa Public Library.

It’s interesting to see how expertise and experience – two of the most important requirements for any job, are addressed by online self-promotion, be it through a blog, an online publication or any kind of public profile.

After all, people spend so much time online that it seems likely that a potential employer or collaborator will run into your work eventually.

Moreover, when you’re applying for a job, if a member of the hiring committee has read your blog or follows you on Twitter, there’s a good chance that they will look twice at your application. That’s the rationale, at least, behind the booming professional blogging and social networking industry.

The professional social network LinkedIn also provides an interesting relationship-building solution. Not only can you post your CV, join interest-based groups and network with mentors and acquaintances, but you can request references for your work. You thus get an official stamp of approval from a former or current colleague – for everyone to see.

As an increasing number of warning flags are raised about the dangers of personal social networking sites for privacy and even reputation, it seems that the professionalization of Internet networks and blogs is only going to increase. Your blog might not be the best place to post your bachelor party photos, but it certainly seems to be the right platform for sharing your career-related aspirations and accomplishments.